The project for a new public reception pavilion at the National Assembly has been put on hold.

A permit application was submitted in June 2025 to build a new reception pavilion better suited to the influx of visitors. These visitors have been increasing in number (approximately 200.000 per year) since the implementation of a policy of public access, championed by the President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet.

The project, selected following an architectural competition, includes an underground section, including a mediation space, which is to be excavated under one of the courtyards.

Problem: the Palais Bourbon is located in an area subject to a safeguarding and development plan (PSMV), which aims to protect historical heritage.

However, "during the building permit application process, the need arose to modify the PSMV (Plan de Sauvegarde et de Mise en Valeur - Safeguarding and Development Plan) in order to allow excavation," explained the office of President Braun-Pivet to AFP. This modification is "minor" but "quite lengthy, and is in the hands of the City of Paris."

Because of the approach of the municipal elections, the last Paris Councils focused on "end-of-term deliberations" which were not conducive to committing to a modification of an urban planning document, according to the same source.

Pending the installation of the new Paris Council, and discussions with the future deputy mayor for urban planning, the building permit has therefore been withdrawn.

The Assembly's bureau, its highest executive body composed of members of parliament, was informed of these developments on Wednesday.

"As soon as we can, and as soon as the conditions are right, we will re-submit" a permit, said the office of Yaël Braun-Pivet, who hopes to be able to do so before the end of the legislative term, at the time of the 2027 presidential election.

As for the idea of ​​modifying the project to remove the underground section, that is not on the agenda "at this time".

The public reception area, which had been moved in anticipation of the works, will be reinstalled in the original pavilion after the parliamentary break for the municipal elections.

"We are welcoming the public in deplorable conditions," with groups sometimes waiting in the street, Yaël Braun-Pivet lamented last year.

The works, estimated at 53 million euros, are to be financed by the Assembly's reserves. After the release of images revealing, in particular, a glass facade, the project was criticized by members of the National Rally.